These are feathers in a design that follows the edges of the hexagons.

This design requires free motion stitching, with the feed dogs down and a darning foot.
I think this design is easy to stitch; you need a little practice and then you will be able to naturally move your quilt under the needle.
I hope you will give this idea a try.

Practice first on paper. Draw a feather like this one below.

Draw the next one following the curve of the previous one and the edge of the hexagon. Continue this way until you fill the whole hexagon. Note how all the feathers start and stop on the top edge of the hexagon.

Move then to the next hexagon and repeat.

You could use other shapes as well.

If your hexagons are small (about 1”), you could stitch the feathers on 2 hexagons at once, like in the picture below.

Use the same idea – draw one feather then follow it and the outer edges of the hexagon flower. I love that this is a continuous design- one start/stop for a block.

If your hexagons are larger and you have a double flower -stitch first the design on the inner petals then move to the outer petals and repeat.

I usually start stitching on the bottom hexagon of the flower and then move counterclockwise, like in the picture below.

Instead of drawing on paper, practice stitching (without thread) on paper – you will have better results. Use a thin needle and keep that needle only for this purpose.

If you want to practice, click below to download printable hexagon flowers (simple and double) in various sizes.

I hope this helps some of you; I have a lot of fun quilting hexagon flowers – and you could not believe how quickly a flower can be stitched.

I'm still trying to learn FMQ and your idea of using paper to practice is wonderful. I will definitely be using that for practice, especially as I am going to start my first EPP project over the holidays and will hopefully soon looking to quilt it.

Geta. That is a fabulous post! I think it's one of the very best I've seen for approaching quilting those hexies. I teach free motion quilting about 15 times a year and the tip for practicing on paper is AWESOME! I never thought about it and you are a genious for that! I am making some larger GFF blocks and will use your designs to quilt them. I begin teaching EPP in the Fall and your tips will help me quilt them with personality! But you didn't mention your lovely pebbles for the centers. I want to use that idea, also. Now I have to make some GFF blocks in solid type fabrics so my quilting will show. As always, your post is beautiful. Thanks!

Fabulous information. I am going to print some fabric with INKLINGO today to make a kaleidoscope hexie quilt. Love your info. I have not yet made the pattern for your grandmothers flower ball…shame on me!Thank you for all your help,

Thanks for sharing, I love quilting, well for me its the easiest way to emphasize your thoughts by means of different creative details and designs. Quilting has been my hobby ever since and as a veteran quilter I have proven that mixing different fabric color can turn out really great specially if the colors you chose blend well together just like those quilted hexagons.

This is wonderful and helps me a lot. I have my grandmothers quilt top that she never quilted before she passed and I've been very nervous about actually quilting it. Now I have great inspiration & ideas! Thank you.

What a wonderful tutorial. How generous of you to include templates for practicing on. I just read another of your tutorials on cutting the papers for hexagons…excellent also.
It’s so nice to get complete instructions with nothing missing and links to templates. Thank you so much. Your love of quilting, sharing, and caring really shine through.

I love your information! My problem with the hexies is how to attach the backing to the front. Nobody shows how to finish off the edges after the quilt is quilted. . Do you bind the edges? Do you make extra hexies and turn them under to the back of the quilt? I am so confused.

I like how you quilted this. I have an antique hexagon quilt that I want to hand quilt. It is not laid out in a grandmothers flower garden style. The fabric colors are laid out in large oval shapes with tiny triangles between “blocks”. Any suggestions?